Stoneman Douglas High students have first full day of school since shooting

by KARA DUFFY, CBS12

Stoneman Douglas High students have first full day of school since shooting. (WPEC)

PARKLAND, Fla. (WPEC) - On Wednesday, students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School returned for their first full day of class since 17 people were killed on Valentine’s Day.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos spoke briefly after visiting with students and teachers. She said students gave her mixed responses as to how they are doing.

DeVos also said the solution to keeping them safe in school won't come from her, but rather local communities and the state.

“It was a very, as I said, sobering, inspiring moment and visit. And I come committed on behalf of this administration to continuing to work to find solutions so that no student and no parent ever has to go through what this community has had to endure," DeVos said.

Last Wednesday, more than a week after the horrific mass shooting, students returned to school but attended classes on a modified, half-day schedule.

This week, there will continue to be a heavy police presence at the school as students struggle to find a new sense of normalcy in the wake of the tragedy.

Students will be dismissed Wednesday at 2:40 p.m.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida held a news conference Wednesday afternoon along with Sen. Bill Nelson to unveil a gun violence restraining order bill.